Wireless control of laryngoscope system
A Laryngoscope system for controlling and monitoring characteristics associated with airway management and a remote access unit continuously interfacing through instant wireless private direct connectivity to a laryngoscope. The system also includes a plurality of sensors and controllers that measure and control characteristics and provide the remote unit with measurements and control results. In other aspects, the laryngoscope and display unit are sensitive to movement and may power on and off with motion or absence of motion. In another aspect, the laryngoscope is capable of wirelessly communicating with the screen for command and control of the Laryngoscope and laryngoscope system.
This application is a divisional which claims the benefit of US Published Application US 2010/0249513 A1 filed on Mar. 31, 2010, which claims the benefit of PPA No. 61/165,091, filed on Mar. 31, 2009 referenced by incorporation herein which claims the benefit of PPA 61/427,010 filed Jan. 28, 2011 by the present inventor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTOver 20 million intubation procedures are performed each year in the United States either as a routine part of surgery or in emergency situations resulting from trauma, cardiopulmonary arrest or other disease processes. In an intubation procedure, it is necessary to insert an endotracheal tube (ET tube) in order to maintain a patient's respiratory function. The tube is inserted into a patient's trachea via either the mouth or nasal tract so that the airway remains open and oxygen reaches the patient's lungs.
Practitioners use an instrument known as a laryngoscope to help in the placement of the ET tube. This instrument typically comprises a handle, a blade, and a light. The practitioner uses the device to move the tongue and epiglottis to one side so that the airway may be properly identified. Once the airway is properly identified, the practitioner inserts the tube with one hand while holding the laryngoscope with the other. In a small percentage of patients, the airway cannot be identified with the laryngoscope alone. With these patients, practitioners sometimes use a device known as a “bougie”. This bougie is a small diameter flexible cylinder of metal, plastic or other material that may serve as a guide for placement of a larger ET tube.
The laryngoscope predominantly used today to accomplish this task was developed in the 1940's. When performed by an experienced practitioner, the procedure is usually quick and uneventful. However, even in the hands of well skilled individuals, there is still an unacceptable number of occurrences in which placement of the endotracheal tube is difficult or impossible resulting in an inability to provide the patient with oxygen leading to death or injury. Difficulty in placing the endotracheal tube may be due to trauma, abnormal anatomy, disease processes or for unknown and unpredictable reasons.
Over the years, there have been many attempts to improve upon the design of the original laryngoscope, but those attempts have been largely unsuccessful as evidenced by the continued use today of virtually the same device developed in the 1940's. More recently due to advances in miniaturization of technology, devices have been developed known as video laryngoscopes that greatly improve the ability to adequately locate the vocal cords and appropriately place the endotracheal tube. These devices are generally constructed with a small camera placed at the distal end of the laryngoscope and the image obtained by that camera is viewed on a remote monitor. However, these devices are expensive and often inconvenient to use. Moreover, prior art devices still fail to offer a solution to the difficult intubations in which a bougie is necessary.
What is needed is an inexpensive, sanitary, easy to use laryngoscope system that may be used in all situations, including the most difficult intubations in the most challenging environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive, sanitary, easy to use laryngoscope system that may be used in all situations, including most difficult intubations in the most challenging environments.
The present invention generally provides a laryngoscope capable of being connected to a monitor and power source, said laryngoscope being comprised of a handle, an arm, a camera, a light, and a disposable sheath; wherein the sheath is slideably and removably coupled to the arm; the sheath being further comprised of a canal capable of being threaded with a bougie; the handle being further comprised of a remote ejection element mechanically connected to a spring element capable of ejecting the sheath from the arm; the arm being removably coupled to the handle. The system is further comprised of a display device, and an IV pole attachment. The sheath may be remotely ejected by depressing a thumb ejector switch on the handle which releases a clasp at the coupling point and further releases a spring element held in compression which, upon release, forcibly moves the sheath along the length of the arm, such that the sheath becomes detached from the arm. The sheath is further comprised of a small canal at least partially running along the outside length that serves as a guide for the bougie. With the laryngoscope properly placed, the practitioner may thread a bougie through the sheath's bougie canal into the airway and use this bougie as a guide for the ET tube.
The laryngoscope is further comprised of a light and a camera. The lens of this camera is located at the distal end of the arm and the signal is transmitted either wirelessly or through a cord to the display device. The light is also located at the distal end of the arm. The cord further transmits power from a power source to the light and camera. In one embodiment of the present invention, the camera is located in the arm of the camera with the lens positioned near the body of the camera. In another embodiment, the body of the camera is located in the handle and communicates with the lens through a cable. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the image collected by the lens is reflected on a mirror or prism.
The display unit is comprised of a container, a screen, and a battery. The container is configured such that it may be removably coupled to an IV pole attachment or sit upright when not attached to the IV pole attachment.
The IV pole is conventional and commercially available. The IV pole attachment is comprised of an attachment receiver that allows the user to quickly attach and separate the display unit from the IV Pole attachment, an IV clamp with a “C” shaped opening, and a laryngoscope storage receptacle.
In one aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope is comprised of a heating element.
In one aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope is capable of being motion activated such that the laryngoscope is powered on upon movement.
In another aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope is capable of being motion activated such that the laryngoscope is powered off when no movement is detected for a predetermined period of time.
In one aspect of the present invention, the screen is capable of being motion activated such that the screen is powered on upon movement.
In another aspect of the present invention, the screen is capable of being motion activated such that the screen is powered off when no movement is detected for a predetermined period of time.
In another aspect of the present invention, the arm is removably coupled to the handle.
In another aspect of the present invention, a user using the ejection element may eject the sheath without touching the sheath.
In another aspect of the present invention, the display unit is comprised of a stand such that said unit is capable of standing upright.
In another aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope is capable of wirelessly communicating with the screen.
Referring to
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In one embodiment of the invention, and as shown in
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Referring to
In the preferred embodiment, the camera 22 transmits video images to the display unit 72. Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
The cord 96 further transmits power from a power source to the light 20 camera 22 and heating unit 21. Referring to
In
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-9, the display unit 72 is comprised of a thin container 74, a screen 88, a DC Jack 94, a battery management board and a battery. The container 74 is comprised of an IV pole attachment connector 90 such that it may be removably coupled to an IV pole attachment receiver 100 (
Referring to
Referring again to
The back 78, on the inside, has pegs and receptacles which act as coupling devices. The central pegs of the back correspond with receptacles located on the reverse side of the screen 88. The perimeter receptacles correspond with pegs located on the inside side of the face 76.
The screen 88 and battery are mounted on the inside portion of the back 78 of the container 74. The battery of the preferred embodiment is a rechargeable lithium battery and is capable of illuminating the screen 88. The screen 88 of the preferred embodiment is a 3.5 inch (Diagonal) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The screen 88 displays the image captured by the camera 22. In one aspect of the present invention, the screen 88 also displays other information such as the battery charge level, time, date, and the like.
The display unit 72 is further comprised of a DC input jack 94 and charge indicator 130. This jack 94 accepts the barrel portion of a charging cable. This jack 94 connects with and is used to recharge the battery. The charge indicator 130 is an LED light that, when lit, alerts the user that the battery is being charged. In one aspect of the present invention, the unit 72 may not be operated while the charge cable is inserted into the jack 94
The cable 62 is capable of communicating images received from the camera 22 to the screen 88 through the communication jack 132. Referring to
The communication cable 96 is also capable of transmitting power generated by the battery to the light 20 and camera 22. The battery management board is a conventional and commercially available circuit board and is capable of maintaining an appropriate charge level in the battery.
The IV pole 128 is conventional and commercially available. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 10-11, the IV pole attachment 98 is comprised of an attachment receiver 100, an IV pole clamp 108 with a C shaped opening, a tightening screw 110 with wing knob 112, and a laryngoscope receptacle 114. The attachment receiver 100 allows the user to quickly attach and separate the display unit 72 from IV pole attachment 98 and is comprised of a bracket 102, and a quick release button 104. The attachment connector 90 of the display unit 72 may be slideably attached to the attachment receiver 100. The user may detach the display unit 72 from the attachment receiver 100 by depressing the release button 104 which activates a lever 106 that disengages the display unit 72 from the attachment receiver 100. The IV pole attachment 98 may be secured to an IV pole 128 by inserting the pole 128 in the IV clamp's 108 C shape opening and tightening the tightening screw 110 with the wing knob 112.
Referring to
The contoured holder 116 is shaped to accommodate the laryngoscope 14 in the folded position as shown in
In the preferred embodiment the arm 18 is made from stainless steel. The handle 16 and container 74 are made from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Although the handle 16 and container 74 of the preferred embodiment are formed from ABS, they need not be. For instance, the handle 16 and container 74 may be formed of any conventional material such as metal or plastic.
While there has been illustrated and described what is, at present, considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A system of control and information processing associated with a laryngoscope, the method comprising: a. providing a user with a remote control unit, said remote control unit: receiving from a control unit in the laryngoscope a status message directly over a wireless connection related to a status of a sensor and/or control system of said laryngoscope, notifying said user of receipt of said status message and displaying said status message on said remote control unit; b. providing by said user at said remote control unit of said laryngoscope in response to said status message a control message containing control information for controlling said laryngoscope control unit; c. delivering said control message from said remote control unit and relaying said control message to said control unit; d. creating a control command for said control unit based on the control information of the control message; and e. delivering the control commands to the control unit.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising sending as a short message to the remote control unit a response message indicating delivery of a control command to the remote control unit.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the response message includes status information for the laryngoscope control unit.
4. The method of claim 3 comprising controlling conditions associated with the laryngoscope using the control unit.
5. The method of claim 1 comprising detecting presence of an authorized person and sending said status message to the remote control unit indicating the presence of the authorized person.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein detecting the presence of the authorized person includes detecting the authorized person and authenticating said use of said system by said authorized person.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the control unit includes a temperature system and comprising sending a control command to the temperature control system to adjust a temperature within the laryngoscope in response to detecting the authorized person sending said command message to the remote control unit.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes a lighting system and comprising sending a control command to the lighting system to turn on lighting associated with the laryngoscope.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes a drug control system and comprising sending a control command to a drug control system to dispense drugs and/or sample associated with the laryngoscope.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes a blade control system and comprising sending a control command to instruct blade to adjust dimensions based on laryngoscope control commands associated with the laryngoscope
11. The method of claim 1 comprising detecting presence of an unauthorized person and sending an SMS message to the remote control unit indicating the presence of the unauthorized person.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes detecting presence of the unauthorized person includes detecting a breach of the command necessary to operate the laryngoscope and laryngoscope system.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the control unit includes an error detection unit and the control command includes an instruction to bypass engaging the laryngoscope when an error is detected.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the control unit includes a power control system and the control command includes an instruction to power down sensitive electronics when a fault is detected in the power control system.
15. A system for control and information processing associated with a laryngoscope, the system comprising: a controller adapted to interface with a laryngoscope control unit associated with the laryngoscope; and a wireless module adapted to: receive from a remote control unit a control message delivered from a remote control unit as a short message service message comprising control information to use for controlling the laryngoscope control unit; create control commands for the laryngoscope control unit based on the control information of the short message services message; deliver the control commands to the laryngoscope control unit via the controller; and deliver to said remote control unit for receipt as a short message services message a revised status message indicating execution of said control information; and
- means at remote control device for notifying a user of said remote control device of said receipt and displaying information related to said revised status message.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the laryngoscope control unit is adapted to control characteristics associated with the use of the laryngoscope and laryngoscope system.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein a wireless module is adapted to detect presence of an authorized person and to send a short message services message to the remote control unit indicating the presence of the authorized person.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the laryngoscope control unit is adapted to control temperature and wherein the wireless module is adapted to send a control command to the temperature control system via the remote control unit to adjust a temperature associated with the laryngoscope.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the control unit is a lighting system and wherein the wireless module is adapted to send a control command to the lighting system via the remote control unit to change the status of a lighting control command of lighting associated with the laryngoscope.
20. A method for control and information processing associated with a laryngoscope and laryngoscope system, the method comprising: a. providing a user with a remote control unit, said remote control unit: receiving a status message from a control unit associated with a laryngoscope a status message using short message and/or data bearer services, said status message related to the status of a laryngoscope, notifying said user of receipt of said status message' and displaying said status message on said remote control unit; b. providing by said user at said remote control unit in response to said status message a control message containing control information to use for controlling said laryngoscope control units; c. delivering said control message from said remote control unit to said control unit; d. creating a control command for said laryngoscope control unit based on the control information of the control message; and e. delivering the control commands to the plurality of control units.
21. A system for control and information processing associated with a laryngoscope and laryngoscope system, the system comprising: a controller adapted to interface with a laryngoscope control unit associated with a laryngoscope system; and a wireless module adapted to: receive from a remote control unit a control message, said control message comprising control information to use for controlling the laryngoscope control unit; create control commands for the laryngoscope control unit based on the control information; deliver the control commands to the laryngoscope control unit via the controller; and deliver to said remote control unit for receipt using said short message, a revised status message indicating execution of said control information; and means at remote control device for notifying a user of said remote control device of said receipt and displaying information related to said revised status message.
22. A method for control and information processing associated with a laryngoscope and laryngoscope system, the method comprising: a. providing a user with a remote control unit, said remote control unit: receiving through short message services message from a control unit in the laryngoscope system a status message related to a status of a laryngoscope control unit at said laryngoscope system; and notifying said user of receipt of said status message and displaying said status message on said remote control unit; b. providing by said user at said remote control unit in response to said status message a control message containing control information to use for controlling said laryngoscope control unit; c. delivering said control message from said remote control unit and relaying said control message to said laryngoscope control unit; d. creating a control command for said laryngoscope control unit based on the control information of the control message; e. delivering the control command to the laryngoscope control unit; f. accessing remote information, creating a control command based on the remote information, and delivering the control command to the laryngoscope control unit wherein accessing the remote information includes accessing a system and g. sending a short message services message to the remote control unit based on the remote information and the control command delivered to the laryngoscope control unit wherein the laryngoscope control unit is selected from a group including (i) a lighting and the control command includes an instruction to bypass engaging power of the lighting system when the power system detects an error, to create the control command based on the remote information, and to deliver the control command to at least one laryngoscope control unit via the remote control unit, (ii) a power control system and the wireless module is adapted to create the control command to instruct the power control system to power down sensitive electronics when an error is detected, (iii) a temperature control system and the wireless module wherein the wireless module is adapted to create the control command to instruct the temperature control system to increase temperature or decrease temperature based on laryngoscope control commands, (iv) a drug control system and the wireless module wherein the wireless module is adapted to create the control command to instruct the drug dispenser to dispense or sample based on the laryngoscope control commands, (v) a blade control system and the wireless module wherein the wireless module is adapted to create control command to instruct blade to adjust dimensions based on laryngoscope control commands.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein at least one laryngoscope control unit includes the power control system and the control command includes an instruction to power down the sensitive electronics when an error is detected.
24. A system for control and information processing associated with a laryngoscope system, the system comprising: a controller adapted to interface with a laryngoscope control unit associated with a laryngoscope system; and a wireless module adapted to: receive from a remote control unit a control message comprising control information to use for controlling the laryngoscope control unit; create control commands for the laryngoscope control unit based on the control information of a short message services message; deliver the control commands to the laryngoscope control unit via the controller; deliver to said remote control unit for receipt as a short message services message a revised status message indicating execution of said control information; and means at remote control device for notifying a user of said remote control device of said receipt and displaying information related to said revised status message, wherein the wireless module is adapted to access remote information, to create a control command based on the remote information, to deliver the control command to at least one laryngoscope control unit via the controller, adapted to send a short message services message to the remote control unit based on the remote information and the control command delivered to the laryngoscope control unit, wherein the laryngoscope control unit is a temperature system and the wireless module is adapted to create the control command to instruct the temperature system to bypass power when a fault is detected.
25. The system of claim 24 wherein the laryngoscope control unit is a power control system and the wireless module is adapted to create the control command to instruct the power control system to power down sensitive electronics.
26. The system of 25 wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes a temperature control system and wherein the wireless module is adapted to create the control command to instruct the temperature system.
27. The system of 26 wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes a drug control system and wherein the wireless module is adapted to create a control command to instruct the drug system.
28. The system of 27 wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes a blade control system and wherein the wireless module is adapted to create a control command to instruct the blade system.
29. A method for control and information processing associated with a laryngoscope system, the method comprising: a. providing a user with a remote control unit, said remote control unit: receiving through short message services message from a control unit associated with a laryngoscope a status message the status of a laryngoscope control unit associated with a laryngoscope system; and notifying said user of receipt of said status message and displaying said status message on said remote control unit; b. providing by said user at said remote control unit in response to said status message a control message containing control information to use for controlling said laryngoscope control unit; c. delivering said control message from said remote control unit as a short message services message and relaying said control message to said laryngoscope control unit; d. creating a control command for said laryngoscope control unit based on the control information of the control message; e. delivering the control command to the laryngoscope control unit; f. accessing remote information, creating a control command based on the remote information, and delivering the control command to the laryngoscope control unit wherein accessing the remote information includes accessing a power control and the remote information relates to detecting a fault in the power provided; and g. sending a short message services message to the remote control unit based on the remote information and the control command delivered to the laryngoscope control unit wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes a lighting control system and the control command includes an instruction to adjust at least lighting of a light upon detection of proper power associated with a laryngoscope system.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the laryngoscope control unit includes a temperature system and the control command includes an instruction to adjust temperature.
31. A component of a laryngoscope and a laryngoscope system, consisting of, a blade system and a blade of flexible dimensions ejectably coupled to the laryngoscope.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 27, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2012
Patent Grant number: 9351633
Inventors: Jay (Jason) Tydlaska (Fort Worth, TX), Amy Sheppard (Fort Worth, TX)
Application Number: 13/374,985